Service marks disaster anniversary

Former footballer John Aldridge is to lead commemorations for the 21st anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on Thursday.

Aldridge, who made over 80 appearances for Liverpool FC in the 1980s, will join Inspector Bernie Swift of Merseyside Police to deliver readings during a memorial service at Anfield stadium.

Overcrowding at Hillsborough during the FA Cup semi-final football match

Club manager Rafa Benitez , with his entire squad and staff, will also attend the service which includes a minute’s silence at 3.06pm, the moment when the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest was halted as officials realised fans were being crushed on the terraces.

Afterwards the names of the 96 people who died will be read out and a candle lit in memory of each one.

The service is organised by the Hillsborough Families Support group and only ticket-holders will be able to attend the event at Anfield, where around 10,000 people are expected.

This is the first year it has been a ticket-only event. The decision was taken for safety reasons after an unexpected 30,000 people attended last year’s service marking the 20th anniversary.

Shortly afterwards the Government, with emergency services in South Yorkshire and Sheffield City Council, agreed to open up previously unseen documents relating to the tragedy.

The public disclosure is currently being overseen by an independent panel chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones.

Tickets for the memorial service are available at Anfield and Liverpool FC club shops.